Working Capacity of Managers in Small and Medium Enterprises: A Case Study in Bac Ninh Province of Vietnam

Abstract

This article researches the working capacity of managers in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in a case study in Bac Ninh province of Vietnam, based on primary data collected from 120 managers and 120 employees in 60 small and medium enterprises in the study sites by standard questionnaires. The results showed that educational level of managers in SMEs in Bac Ninh province of Vietnam was still very low, managers with a suitable qualification of management was not high. The capacities of making business plans were mostly just acceptable. The human resource management capacity was not good, but the asset management capacity and monitoring capacity of managers was rather good. Employees were aware and believed in executive capacity of managers as they have been active and proactive in improving their management and business capacity and being able to acquire well, diligently and eagerly learn. Employees highly appreciated the moral qualities of managers. Some factors considered to affect the working capacity of managers were high age, low management experience, characteristics of managers. The research suggested that managers of SMEs had better improve their managerial knowledge, strengthen their managerial capacity. Training institutions could organize short training course and provide consultation support to SMEs managers. National and provincial government should create a playground for them to share and learn from good and successful managers.